3 European Powers vs Africa
Question: Analyze the policies of three European colonial powers regarding Africa between 1871 and 1914. (1997 #3)
Introduction: Between 16th and 18th centuries European powers did not usually acquire territory in Africa and Asia but rather built a series of trading stations. European migration was growing and the population was gradually decreasing in Europe and rising in places that were being conquered. The rise of new imperialism (the control of one people by another can be political, economic or cultural-) began in 1800s in Africa but even earlier in Asia. In 1800 Europeans controlled about 7% of the world 's territory; by 1914, they controlled 84%! Europeans colonized Africa and Asia by using military force to take control of local governments, exploiting local economies for raw materials required by Europe 's growing industry and imposing Western values to benefit the "backwards" colonies. There was a new emphasis on spreading Christianity to Africa and Asia by Western Europe. The ideology: nationalism and Social Darwinism were also an influential factor in Africa 's downfall against three very powerful nations. Four European colonial powers in particular: Great Britain, France, Germany, and Belgium were the driving forces of the outreach into Africa between 1871 and 1914 due to their desire to expand their boundaries for economic, political, religious, and social reasons by using direct or indirect control.
*=Defined at end of outline
I. Policies of Britain
a. Britain Empire alone controlled about 25% of the world 's population by 1900 and 20% of the world 's territory:
i. It was considered "the Empire upon which the sun never sets"
1. One could travel around the world by railroad and sea, moving only through British territories
2. Included Australia, Canada, India, colonies in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean b. Britain used indirect control of colony to gain control over portions of Africa
c. Britain was concerned by French and German
Introduction: Between 16th and 18th centuries European powers did not usually acquire territory in Africa and Asia but rather built a series of trading stations. European migration was growing and the population was gradually decreasing in Europe and rising in places that were being conquered. The rise of new imperialism (the control of one people by another can be political, economic or cultural-) began in 1800s in Africa but even earlier in Asia. In 1800 Europeans controlled about 7% of the world 's territory; by 1914, they controlled 84%! Europeans colonized Africa and Asia by using military force to take control of local governments, exploiting local economies for raw materials required by Europe 's growing industry and imposing Western values to benefit the "backwards" colonies. There was a new emphasis on spreading Christianity to Africa and Asia by Western Europe. The ideology: nationalism and Social Darwinism were also an influential factor in Africa 's downfall against three very powerful nations. Four European colonial powers in particular: Great Britain, France, Germany, and Belgium were the driving forces of the outreach into Africa between 1871 and 1914 due to their desire to expand their boundaries for economic, political, religious, and social reasons by using direct or indirect control.
*=Defined at end of outline
I. Policies of Britain
a. Britain Empire alone controlled about 25% of the world 's population by 1900 and 20% of the world 's territory:
i. It was considered "the Empire upon which the sun never sets"
1. One could travel around the world by railroad and sea, moving only through British territories
2. Included Australia, Canada, India, colonies in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean b. Britain used indirect control of colony to gain control over portions of Africa
c. Britain was concerned by French and German
Bibliography: "AP Euro Lecture Notes- Unit 8.3: The New Imperialism 1880-1914". ©2006. < HistorySage.com> Buckler, Hill, McKay. A History of Western Society. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006. "Europe (1871-1914)". Sparknotes. © 2006. Mc-Graw Hill. A History of the Modern World. California: San Francisco, 2002. "Protectorate". Wikipedia. © February 2007.